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R. HUGHES.

TRENCH KNIFE.

APPLlcmou man 11.9.19.1919..

1,315,503. n Patentedsept. 9,1919.

mah/1ers RUPERT HUGHES, 0F THE UNITEDSCLATES ARMY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 9, 1919.

Application filed January 19, 1918. y Serial No. 212,735.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, RUrnnr HUGHES, a citizen of theUnited States, and a captain in the United States National Army, have invented a new and useful lmprovement in Trench-Knives, of which the following is a specification. y

My invention relates to improvements in weapons, being more particularly an improvement in trench knives, and it consists in the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a trench knife used in offensive and defensive warfare, consisting principally of a knife blade mounted in a hasp and secured to the back of the hand by a strap, thus leaving the palm of the hand open` with" the fingers free to grasp an object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trench knife constructed substantially and mounted `on the hand as described, in-V cluding a blade `latch with a button so` disposed that it may be readily struck either against the stock of the gun or the. knee of the wearer, to cause the instantaneous eXtension of theblade.

Another object of the invention is to. pro* vide a knife as described designed upon the new principle of effectingv the` drive through the downward blow of the arm, by securing the knife on the hand with anabutment for receiving the thrust, thus avoiding the necessity of gripping the `knife in ,the` palm of the hand.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a knife constructed andmounted on the new principle above outlined, in whichl the blade closes in a location out of reach ofthe fingers, thus entirely removing the liability to accidentally catch and cut thelingers.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is aperspective view `illustrating the trench knife in position 'and showing how an object may be grasped with the free palm. y

Fig. f2 is a perspective view showing the knife in position and the strap for holding it in place. 3

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the knife in` position on the hand with the blade closed." i

Fig. `4 is a side elevation of the knife, parts being shownl in section.`

F 1g. 5 `is a longitudinal section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a horizontalsection on` the line 6*(5 of Fig. 5.

F ig, 7 is a cross section on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. Sis a detail view of the blade latch.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a trench knife employing three principal el`ements` in its construction. These elements consist of a hasp 1 arranged to be held on the back of the hand by a strap 2, with` a knife` blade 3 or any other suitable implement, pivoted at one endl of the hasp.

The hasp 1 consists of two halves l and 5 which are secured together by the upper and lower sets of screws or rivets 6 and 7. rlhe two halves are so shaped on top,`that when fitted together` a blade recess 8 is formed. The blade 3 closes into this recess as shown in Fig.` 3.

Here it may bementioned that the implement employed in this connection, is not confined in useto the knife blade 3 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. This implement may consist of a spike of any size and shape suitable for the purpose for which it is intended; The shape of the blade recess 8 will be made to conform to the particular type of iniplement used. When a knife blade is used, the recess will be relatively deep, and when a spike is used, 4.the recess will be `relatively shallow.

Pommels 9 and `10 are formed at the eX- tremitiesof the hasp 1. These extend downwardly substantially as shown, leaving the interior surface of the hasp l roundedon a' gradual curve so as to fit well upon the back of the hand. The strap 2 formerly referred to, is now securedin place around the lower set of screws 7 thus closing the hand receiving part ofthe hasp, and providing a sure and flexible grip.

The construction of the strap is not confined tothe use` of leather such as illustrated in, the drawing. Any other flexible 1naterial may be employed to equally good advantage. It is also conceivable that the strap may consist of a metallic member,

although obviously, for the purpose of providing a strong, soft and flexible gripping member upon which the fingers of the hand may close, a leather strap is thought to be more effective.

Referring again to the construction of the hasp7 it will be observed in Figs. 4 and 7, that a4 strong projector spring 11 is secured at one end to one of the screws 6, in a chamber 12 formed in the member 4 of the hasp. The other end of the spring 11 has an eyelet in which one end of a cable 13 is secured.

A sheave 14 receives the other end of the cable 13, and the end of the cable is secured in the groove in any suitable manner. The sheave 14 is mounted on a blade carrier 15 which is square in cross section, and upon which the blade 3 is also mounted. The square carrier prevents the sheave and the blade from turning with respect thereto, and to insure the fixture of the blade in position on the carrier, a pin 16 is fitted through the hub of the blade and the carrier.

The projector spring 11 is a contractile Vspring and tends to rotate the sheave 14 in a clockwise direction in, Fig. 4 to open the .knife The knife rocks on trunnions 17,

whichare rounded extensions of the square blade carrier 15, and are journaled in the sides or halves 4 and 5v of the hasp 1. The construction of this portion of the invention is clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, where it will be seen, `that the shoulders of the square blade carrier 15 abut the adjacent surfaces of the sides of the hasp, and serve to space the adjacent portions of the hasp apart.

Movable beneath the end of the blade carrier 15 opposite to that on which the sheave 14 is mounted, is the head 18 of a blade latch 19. The head 18 is adapted to be in contact with any one of the three surfaces of the square blade carrier 15 outside of the one directly adjoining the blade 3. These three surfaces are indicated a, Z) and c in Fig. 5. rlhe surface c is shown in contact with the head 18 with the blade 3 in the final or extended position. The engagement of the straight surface of the head 18 with the straight surface c of the carrier, positively prevents the blade 3 from closing unless an extraordinarily powerful blow is delivered beneath the blade. Such a blow would tend to break the blade off entirely rather than cause the square blade carrier to turn on the latch.

The blade is closed by pressing on the exposed button 20 mounted on the end of.

the latch shank 21 which carries the latch 19. A latch springV 22 normally keeps the button 20 in the exposed position, and holds tion beneath the blade carrier 15.

the head 18 of the blade latch 19 in posi- On pressing upon the button 2O against the tension of the spring 22, a rounded recess 23 adjacent to the head 18 of the latch 19, is moved into position beneath the square blade carrier. rlhe depth of this recess is suii ci ent to permit the corners of the blade carrier to turn, and so the blade may be closed into the blade recess 8. Upon releasing the button, the latch will spring back7 whereupon the surface a of the blade carrier will lie in contact with the head 18 and again prevent the blade from being turned on its trunnions until the button is again pressed.

Tension is stored in the projector spring 11 in turning the blade 3 over into the closed position, as just described. This tension in the spring becomes the motive power in instantly extending the blade upon again pressing the button 2() to move the rounded recess 23 beneath the square blade carrier 15. It will be readily understood from Fig. 4 wherein the blade 8 is shown in the closed position, that on releasing the blade carrier by moving the latch forwardly as just described, the tension of the spring 11 will cause the cable 13 to rotate the sheave 14 in a clockwise direction, and consequently open the blade.

A recess 24 partly houses the latch spring 22 land provides an abutment for one end thereof. The recess 24 is formed on the rounded surface of the blade recess of the member 5 of the hasp. The shank 21 is offset outwardly a short distance beyond the spring 22, the offset portion of the shank moving in a groove 25 in continuation of the recess 24. Abutments for limiting the outward movement of the button 2() and vconsequently the inward movement of the y latch 19, are provided by the offset formation of the groove 25 and by the rounded shoulder 2G in the member 5 adjacent to the end of the latch 19.

A roughened end is provided on the button 20 by upsetting the end of the button on the end of the shank 21 which extends into the button. This roughened end is useful in preventing slipping on quickly striking the button against the smooth gun stock when it is desired to quickly open the knife.

The operation of the trench knife is as follows. One of the important features, if not the most important feature sought to be brought out in the present instance, is to provide a trench knife which is instantly accessible for use and at the same time may be wielded to the best possible advantage, still leaving the palm of the hand open and the lingers free for other employment. Such other employment may consist of grasping, loading, aiming and firing a rifle. From time immemorial, trench knives, as well as other knives, consisted of a blade with a handle adapted to be grasped in the palm of the hand with the fingers ('losino on the handle. n

.tively by the user.

insieme A permanent and iirm grip is necessary to hold such a knife and delivera powerful thrust with it. The trench knife hereiinbefore described and illustrated in the dra-wing, does not necessarily calll for a strong grip as a prerequisiteto the successful use of the knife. There mayI even be instances where the grip or the power togrip ofthe wielder of the knife, may have become so weakened, that were it not for the fact that the knife is secured upon the hand in the new and novel manner'herein disclosed, he would be utterlyunable to employ this sort of a weapon.

4So long as the user ofthe knife has power enough to` rai-se his arm, he can employ the knife to good" advantage, since in this instance the blow is delivered from the shoulder and muscular effort ordinarily employed in tightening the fi'n- 'Ihe lower pommel 10, z'. e., the one/adje` cent to blade,` becomes the element which receives and delivers the whole thrust. The

Strap 2 Simply holds the knife securely on the back of the hand. The second position of the blade 3 consists of" movingthe blade midwayof the extreme positions with the surface Z) of the blade carrier in contact with the head 18 of the latch, when the blade will stand at right angles to the hasp.

This` position of the blaas may; be use-nii in some instances. The `hasp may be iilxed upon the hand in. a position opposite to that illustrated in the drawing when the button 20 will extend in the other direction. The particular position in which the knife is held, whether it be on the right orr left hand, is a matter determined more effec` It is to be emphasized V however', that the underlying principle of the invention as hereinbefore repeatedly brought out, being to provide a trench knife adapted to be mounted on the back of the hand, capable of being opened instantaneously for use, arranged to secure the drive through the pommel, and to leave the palm and fingers open and free for use.

While the construction of the knife as illustrated is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim 1. A weapon including a holder adapted to rest on the back of the hand to leave the palm open and lingers free. means carried by the holClSl firmly engaging the sides 0f the hand toenable the imparting of :the force of a` blow in wielding the weapon, means bridging said engaging means across the palm.- to `retain the holder on: the hand, normally retracted impaling means in the holder, and actuating means including an engageable portion, arranged 4to extend said impaling means upon striking'ithe engageable portion.

2. In a trench kni'fe, a hasp, means for securing the hasp upon the back of. the hand, a blader` mountedin the hasp, and

`means for extending the blade.

In a trench knife, a hasp, means for securing the hasp on the back of thehand, aI blade mounted in the hasp, and engageable means embodied in the hasp, arranged to instantaneously extend the blade upon engagement ofsaid means. y

4. A trench knife comprising `a hasp adaptedlto be held on the back of ahand leaving the palm and lingers free, means including pommels extending inwardly and firmly grasping the sides of the hand* to enable the wieldingof the knife, norn'lally retracted impaling means mounted adjacent to one pommel, means carriedby the hasp for extending the impaling means, and` means exposed on the other pommel, holding the extending means passive untilJ struck.

5. In a `trench knife', a hasp, means carried by the hasp engaging the palm and arranged to hold the hasp on the back of the hand, and a blade mounted in the hasp open ing away from the user, to` prevent acci` dental catcliing of thefingers between the blade and the hasp in closing.

6*. In a trench knife, a hasp, means fbr holding the hasp on the back of the hand to" leave the palm. free, a blade mounted in the hasp,`land means embodied in the hasp cooperating with the blade for holding the blade in different positions.

7.111 a trench knife, a hasp, means` for. holding the hasp on` the back of the hand, a blade normally closed in the hasp, means for obtaining the extension of the blade, and means normally holding, the extended blade from. becoming accidentally closed.

8. In a trench knife, a hasp, means holdi ing the hasp on the back of the hand to leave the palm open, a blade ournaled in the hasp, arranged to assume the closed, open and in tei-mediate positions, a non-circular portion embodied in the journal of the blade, and a movable member adapted to contact certain of said noncircular portions to hold the blade in corresponding positions.

9. In a trench knife, a hasp, a blade capable of assuming the closed, open and intermediate positions, a journal bearing for the blade on the hasp, a non-circular portion embodied in said bearing, and a movable latch member including a straight portion engageable with certain of said non-circular portions to hold the blade inthe corresponding position and a recess adapted to be moved beneath the non-circular portion to permitturning of the journal bearing.

10. In a trench knife, a hasp arranged to be secured on the back of the hand, a blade mounted on and normally closed in the hasp, tension operated means for extending the blade, anda latch permitting operation of said means to extend the blade, upon engagement. v

11. In a trench knife, a hasp arranged to be secured on the back of the hand, a blade pivoted and normally closed in the hasp, and means including an engageable releasing member and a tension operated device, for causing the blade to swing outward and avvay from the hand to the open position.

12. In a trench knife, a hasp, means for securing the hasp on the back of the hand to leave the palm open, a blade mounted in the hasp in the normally closed position, tension operated means tending to open the blade, a latch engaging a portion of the blade preventing said means from operating, and an exposed engageable member carried by said latch, said member being roughened to prevent slipping When striking a smooth surface.

13. Ina trench knife, a hasp having a blade socket, a blade pivoted in the hasp and closing into the socket, tension operated means housed in the hasp to one side of the socket and coperating With the blade to open the blade, and a latch mounted on the hasp at the other side of the socket, normally engaging a portion of the blade at the pivot to prevent the blade from opening under the Vaction of said tension operated means.

14:. In a trench knife, a hasp comprising half sections With removed portions at Vthe top forming a knife socket When the sections are secured together, said sections including extensions forming'pommels for embracing the sides of a hand When the hasp is mounted on the back, a retaining member disposed between the extremities of the pommels adapted to cross the palm of the hand, a

knife blade pivotally mounted in the hasp f and closing into the socket, a non-circular portion included in the pivotal mounting, a latch located on one section and engaging one of the non-circular portions to keep the blade from turning, an exposed button carried by the latch for displacing it, and means carried by the other section for moving the blade on its pivotal mounting to the extended position upon displacement of the latch, said means including a contractile spring and a flexible connection.

15. In a trench knife, a hasp, a blade, a pivotal mounting for the blade comprising a blade holder square in cross section and extending through the hub of the blade With trunnions ournaled in the hasp, a movable latch including a head normally engaging one of the surfaces of the blade older to prevent turning, with a rounded recess movable beneath said holder to permit turning, a sheave mounted on the holder at the other side of the blade, and tension operated means for revolving the blade to the extended position on moving the rounded recess beneath said holder, said means including a spring With a cable attached to the sheave.

16. In a trench knife, a hasp including` a half section with a recess and a groove terminating in a shoulder portion, a blade pivoted on the hasp and having a non-circular portion, a latch including a head with a rounded recess coperating With said noncircular portion, said latch being adapted to abut said shoulder portion, a shank integral with the latch occupying the groove and the recess, a button on the end of the shank exposed on the end and upset to provide a roughened end and hold the button on the shank, and a spring occupying the recess around the shank between the button and the end of the recess.

RUPERT HUGHES.

Copies of this p atent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

